Chapter 33: Q102P (page 1009)

A square, perfectly reflecting surface is oriented in space to be perpendicular to the light rays from the Sun. The surface has anedge lengthof $l = 2.0 m$ andislocated $r = 3 .0 \times 10^{11} m$ fromthe Sun’s center. What is the radiation force on the surface from the light rays?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The radiation force on the surface of the square from the light rays is $F = 9.2 μ N$

Step by step solution

Listing the given quantities

$l = 2.0 m$

r = 3.0 \times 10^{11} m

Understanding the concepts of intensity

First, we have to find the intensity by usingequation. Then, we can calculate the radiation force on the surface of the square by using the equation

Formula:

$I = \frac{p_{s}}{4 π r^{2}}$

Calculations of theradiation force on the surface of the square from the light rays

$I = \frac{P_{s}}{4 π r^{2}}$

where powerfor the sun from Appendix $C$ is

$P_{s} = 3.90 \times 10^{26} W$

So,

$\begin{matrix} I = \frac{3.90 \times 10^{26}}{4 π \times {(3.0 \times 10^{11})}^{2}} \\ = 344.84 W / m^{2} \end{matrix}$

Now, if the radiationis totally reflected back along its original path, the force is given as

$F = \frac{2 I A}{c}$

Where $A$ is the area of the reflecting surface and it can be calculated as

$\begin{matrix} A = {(l)}^{2} \\ = 4 m^{2} \end{matrix}$

So,

$\begin{matrix} F = \frac{2 \times 344.84 \times 4}{3 \times 10^{8}} \\ = 9.2 \times 10^{- 6} N \\ = 9.2 μ N \end{matrix}$

Hence, the radiation force on the surface of the square from the light rays is $9.2 μ N$

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A square, perfectly reflecting surface is oriented in space to be perpendicular to the light rays from the Sun. The surface has anedge lengthof $l = 2.0 m$ andislocated $r = 3 .0 \times 10^{11} m$ fromthe Sun’s center. What is the radiation force on the surface from the light rays?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Listing the given quantities

Understanding the concepts of intensity

Calculations of theradiation force on the surface of the square from the light rays

One App. One Place for Learning.

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A square, perfectly reflecting surface is oriented in space to be perpendicular to the light rays from the Sun. The surface has anedge lengthof l=2.0 mandislocatedr=3.0×1011 mfromthe Sun’s center. What is the radiation force on the surface from the light rays?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Listing the given quantities

Understanding the concepts of intensity

Calculations of theradiation force on the surface of the square from the light rays

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Electrostatics

Linear Momentum

Scientific Method Physics

Physical Quantities And Units

Space Physics

Wave Optics

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

A square, perfectly reflecting surface is oriented in space to be perpendicular to the light rays from the Sun. The surface has anedge lengthof $l = 2.0 m$ andislocated $r = 3 .0 \times 10^{11} m$ fromthe Sun’s center. What is the radiation force on the surface from the light rays?